Introduction
Lili Parikrama refers to the annual fair held in the district of Junagadh in the state of Gujarat. The fair involves parikrama (Green Pradakshina or circumambulation) around mount Girnar, which starts from the temple of Bhavnath and after covering some of the major hills of Mount Girnar it ends again at the Bhavnath temple.
The fair is organized by the local people, priests, police and forest department officials. The people of the state believe that all 33 crore Gods live in Girnar and this belief drives the devotees to take a parikrama of mount Girnar annually.
Initially the fair involved a 12 miles round on foot, which from the past 150 years has been reduced to 4 miles. The complete Parikrama takes 4 days, and that’s the duration of the fair.
Although Mount Girnar and the nearby places in Junagadh district have many religious and holy places, but, of all the peaks and places pilgrims and devotees definitely visit the Bhavnath Shiv temple, Bhartruchari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Shiv Kund. Also of the seven peaks on mount Girnar, five are the most important namely Ambamata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Dattatreya and Kalika.
Where is the fair held?
The fair of Lily parikrama is held every year in the district of Junagadh, situated at the foothills of Mount Girnar which is the tallest mountain of Gujarat, 6 kms from the Junagadh city.
The complete journey takes 4 days starting from the temple of Bhavnath and finally ending at the same place.
People attending the Fair:
Over the years the fair of Lily Parikrama has gained tremendous importance and attention. It is estimated that currently around 1 Lakh people attend the fair which mainly includes the tribes from nearby districts and towns around Junagadh.
The devotees attending the fair are mainly Lord Shiva believers and followers. The fair is venerated by both Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mount Neminath.
Attractions
Around 1 Lakh people attend this annual grand pilgrimage Parikrama every year. The fair is not certainly extremely significant from the religious point of view, but it is also a good destination for tourists who come for holidaying. The weather at the time of fair is extremely pleasant and due to rains the lakes and ponds are all full of water. The journey of the Parikrama becomes enjoyable as it is all green and beautiful throughout the period of fair.
Some of the major attractions involved in the fair are:
- Raas and bhajan mandlis
- Dramas and duhas
- Number of eatable and refreshment stalls.
- Toy stalls for kids.
- Stalls selling beautiful idols.
The Parikrama starts with worshipping Lord Shiva’s shrine at Bhavnath. People then move on the designated path that is highlighted with lights. Devotees walk day and night throughout the fair.
There is plenty of sadhu maths where people stop for a while to pay respect to these naga bavas.
Pilgrims and devotees enjoy the journey with the presence of numerous Raas and bhajan mandalis. Devotees try to end this journey on the full moon night at the Bhavnath temple.
Parikrama 2009
The fair is held every year in the kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. Precisely the fair held on the Hindu calendar date of Kartik Sud 11 to 15.
According to the Gregorian calendar it falls in the months of October-november.
In 2009, the fair will start on 29th October and end on 2nd November.
The fair over the years have become one of the mega events for the state of Gujarat, as lakhs of tourists and devotees from all over the country come and visit the places around Junagadh during the period of the fair.
